Amplified Minds, a Dallas nonprofit providing free mental health support for the community presents its inaugural Louder Than Stigma Fest—a night of powerful live music, art, and connection during Suicide Prevention Month.

Suicide rates are rising, especially among creatives. Over 4,000 Texans died by suicide in 2023. Many lack access to affordable mental health care.

Louder Than Stigma Fest raises awareness and funds free mental health programs offered by Amplified Minds—serving thousands through therapy, art healing, and support.  All proceeds from Louder Than Stigma Fest benefit Amplified Minds’ free mental health support services.

Unable to attend but still want to support Amplified Minds?  Donate HERE

Music:

Cure for Paranoia – Dallas’ electrifying alternative hip-hop group performs live and celebrates the release of their new single, “No Brainer” (out Sept 4). Led by Cameron McCloud, their music blends rap, R&B, funk & jazz.

Dallas Sounds Amplified Artists: Sam Cormier, Gracen Wynn, & Remy Riley open the show.

Event Highlights:

Mental Health Activation Area: Connect with Aadhar Mental Health (therapy access) and End Overdose (free Narcan & harm reduction education) and others.

“Jacket Up- It's a No Brainer” Art Auction: Bid on unique jackets redesigned by local artists including Chris Bingham, Bubba Flint, India Hearne, Clay Stinnett and more.

We would like to thank our sponsors:
Jambaloo, Aadhar Mental Health, Double Wide, Single Wide, East Dallas Vintage, Toadies

Interested in sponsoring or volunteering? Contact us at: info@amplifiedminds.org

About Amplified Minds:

Amplified Minds provides free, accessible mental health services tailored for creatives and underserved communities in North Texas. Learn more at amplifiedminds.org.

THE DROP
4 of DFW’s best artists, one night, on the same stage at the Kessler Theater. All dropping new
music!

CURE FOR PARANOIA
Cure for Paranoia: The prodigal Cameron McCloud, Tomahawk Jonez & Jay Analog are back. Cure for Paranoia’s music often features introspective lyrics paired with vibrant, genre-bending beats. Since their formation, they have been a prominent force in the Dallas music scene, earning accolades for their unique style and ability to push the boundaries of traditional hip-hop. The band has also made waves beyond Dallas, performing at notable festivals and opening for huge artists.
“The group’s live presence is equal parts eccentric and electric, landing them on iconic stages like that of The Hollywood Bowl and South by Southwest. Just recently, NPR was so captivated by Cure for Paranoia’s 2023 Tiny Desk submission performance that the public media organization asked the band to join the Tiny Desk Contest’s “On The Road” tour stop in Houston.” – KXT.org
WE THEM GRAYS
Dallas’ sibling soulful sweethearts We The Grays are Kierra Gray, KJ Gray & Kwinton Gray. We Them Grays are a family of entertainers that have been playing together since the days of their parents living room.
United by their passion for music and deep familial bond, the trio seamlessly blends genres such as jazz, gospel, R&B, and soul to create a unique and captivating sound.
● Kierra Gray is the soulful vocalist of the group, bringing powerful emotion and depth to their performances. Her voice, enriched with gospel roots, adds a warm and resonant layer to their music.
● KJ Gray is the versatile instrumentalist, known for his skills on mic and the bass. His rhythmic precision and innovative arrangements contribute to the group’s rich and textured sound.
● Kwinton Gray is the keyboard virtuoso, whose mastery of the piano and synthesizer brings a sophisticated and intricate harmonic structure to their compositions. Kwinton’s flair for improvisation and musical creativity shines through in every piece they perform.
Together, We Them Grays are not just a band; they are a musical force, combining their individual talents to produce a sound that is both timeless and forward-thinking.

CURL
CURL is a band from Dallas, Texas comprised of Gunner J. Hardy, TJ Novak, Allison Owens & Justin Hoard aka DeepnthCut. With an eclectic wound often described as a fusion between Sonic Youth, Marvin Gaye & Beach House, they’ve become known for their unparalleled chemistry, unconventional lyricism & explosive live shows.

Scuttino
“Your Favorite Cousin” Scuttino is one of the most exciting new voices in hip-hop. The multifaceted rapper, singer, and songwriter hails from Oak Cliff, a tough inner-city area of Dallas, Texas that’s also home to artists such as Yella Beezy, N’Dambi, and The D.O.C. With his love for hip-hop, neo-soul, and R&B, Scuttino has developed a versatile vibe that fuses classic instrumentation with modern production, along with his own mellow style and gift for wordplay. Inspired by a diverse range of artists, from T-Pain to Lil Wayne to hometown hero Erykah Badu, he has crafted a sound that is fresh and innovative, yet rooted in tradition and southern culture.
“Champagne Campaign” is Scuttino’s ode to his favorite libation…of course, champagne. And the music in his project can be enjoyed much like your favorite bottle of bubbly: on a date, at home, with friends, alone, at a party, on a picnic, and anywhere else you enjoy. Scuttino carefully recorded and selected six songs with varying degrees of “jammability” that perfectly matched vibes he looked to achieve. Take a listen and enjoy!

 

KXT 91.7’s Halloween Local Music Showcase featuring Cure for Paranoia, Whiskey Folk Ramblers, and Abraham Alexander

The soul-infused hip-hop outfit has become the new face of the storied Dallas neighborhood. Now the band is taking Deep Ellum worldwide.  The musicians that make up Dallas hip-hop group Cure for Paranoia have their own bold  energy andpersonal styles which would best be described as aggressively funky, a style that carries through to their music. Between Tomahawk Jonez’s and JayAnalog’s production, Stanley Francisko’s airy vocals, and Cameron McCloud’s brisk lyrical delivery, the band has designed its own brand of “trippy soul-infused hip-hop.”
The group formed when the four guys took a “doomsday road trip.” Following the advice of some conspiracy theorist friends, they packed up and headed to an ideal place to wait out the apocalypse.When an earth-shattering meteor didn’t hit, inspiration did. Having recently been diagnosed with bipolar paranoid schizophrenia, McCloud found clarity in making music with Analog, Jonez, and Francisko. By the time they returned home, the band was born.
In the following months, Cure for Paranoia quickly made a name for themselves and were awarded Dallas Observer’s Best New Act. They formed a relationship with Erykah Badu after McCloud was recorded rapping to her backstage of the Bomb Factory, which allowed them to perform at 2 of her most recent, sold out Birthday celebrations. In less than 2 years, the group has been put on festival bills with artists like Run The Jewels, Flying Lotus and Purity Ring. Their diverse music has allowed them to share bills with a wide range of artists such as Ludacris, 21 Savage, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelik and tour with Bone Thugs -n- Harmony.

Like the soundtrack to a spaghetti western set in the Dust Bowl, Whiskey Folk Ramblers’ “folk noir” blends ominous, reverb-dripping guitars with boot-stomping train beats and funereal horns to create sonic backdrops for down-on-your-luck ballads and beer-soaked anthems. Their music is the sound of a union meeting at its drunkest, of a last-resort robbery gone awry, of mice and men and the lengths they’ll go to forget about their troubles. From catchy singalongs to moody shuffles, Whiskey Folk’s sound takes American roots music down a road less traveled, where even the Devil might be waiting to raise a toast.

 

Abraham Alexander is a musician living in Fort Worth, Texas hailing all the way from Athens Greece. His view of life was shaped by his time in Europe. With ties to the past and letting his faith guide him, his music carries a story. His soulful, blues style voice brings listeners into a personal journey, evoking emotion in the deepest sense.